Aug. 29, 2010
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Video interview with R. Rainey
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s soccer team outlasted the Central Michigan Chippewas in a Sunday showdown at the Iowa Soccer Complex. The Hawkeyes earned the 1-0 decision to end Central Michigan’s 20-game regular season win streak in the final game of the Iowa Tournament.
Freshman Alex Melin started Iowa’s offense early in the game with a shot in the 3rd minute. Central Michigan goalkeeper Shay Mannino blocked the shot, but was challenged by Rachael Blakesley and Jade Grimm in successive attempts. Grimm’s rebounded shot floated wide of the goal.
Iowa goalkeeper Emily Moran saw significantly more action in Sunday’s match than Friday, making her first save of the day in the 6th minute. Moran also successfully defended back-to-back corners by the Chippewas, clearing the ball out of the box.
Both offenses were aggressive in the first half, with Iowa attempting eight shots and CMU challenging the net 11 times. Iowa keeper Moran and CMU keeper Mannino piled up the stats with four saves and three saves, respectively, to end the first period in a scoreless state.
Central Michigan came out of the half time break with speed in their attack, taking aim at the net four times in seven minutes. Iowa’s defense was just as forceful, however, causing each of the shots to be nonthreatening misfires.
Play was back and forth through the beginning of the second period until a Grimm possession moving up the field was passed on to Leah DeMoss. The freshman maneuvered around Chippewa defenders and passed the ball off to Alyssa Cosnek at the last second. Cosnek didn’t flinch when the CMU goalkeeper dove for the ball and finished with a tap in at the 69:17 mark.
“It was a beautiful goal,” Head Coach Ron Rainey said. “I think anyone who likes sports and saw that goal-a ball into Jade then late off to Leah who beat someone then unselfishly laid the ball across to Alyssa who kind of sacrificed her body because the goalkeeper was rushing out at her. She had the composure to finish.”
Cosnek’s goal was the final decision maker in the game as the opponents tired in the afternoon heat.
Moran led the Black and Gold to an undefeated Iowa Tournament with two shutouts in two games. The Kent, OH native recorded four saves in Sunday’s win.
“I am really excited about the effort level this weekend,” Rainey said.”And about the effort level on a Sunday which is sometimes a fatigued game after playing on Friday night.”
Iowa heads out of town on a three week road stretch. The team plays in Chicago, IL next Friday, taking on Loyola-Chicago before heading to Cedar Falls to face Northern Iowa, Sept. 5.